Project Background
We all know that it is bad to waste electricity. Electricity costs money and generating electricity has an environmental footprint (even renewables). On hot summer days in Ontario, we rely on gas-fired power plants to keep the lights on and the air conditioning running and that has a major carbon footprint and consequences for outdoor air quality. On these days, and other peak demand days, the financial savings are also greater because, as a large institution, our electricity rates throughout the year are largely based on the electricity used during the five peak demand days (on billing, see IESO Guide to Wholesale Electricity Charges, and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ North Hydro Medium and Large Commercial Rates). Because we know in advance when these peak demand days are likely to occur, we can take steps to reduce our electricity use.
When it comes to saving electricity, however, the role that individual campus members can play is often restricted to the simple things that we all know about but often don’t do. These include little things like turning off the lights, shutting down the second computer screen, unplugging small appliances, closing fume hoods, and more. These may be small actions, but their impacts are additive, especially if habits are changed and social norms evolve.
The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Sustainability Office is looking to develop new communication strategies to reduce the electricity that is wasted in residences, classrooms, labs, and offices. This work relates to UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13 and to the campus Shift:Neutral climate action plan:
32. Action: Develop a visual identity to raise the visibility of energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects, and increase communication to raise awareness among campus stakeholders;
33. Consideration: Stronger guidelines for shutdown procedures of lights, IT equipment, and personal computing equipment will be considered.
Project Examples
There are four target audiences for this work: students in residences, classroom users, lab members, and office staff. Projects should identify and focus on one of these audiences.
- Outlining the key characteristics of the target audiences and the electricity use that is under their control
- Identifying one to three meaningful actions that these members can take to reduce electricity use on campus
- Reviewing existing communications strategies for the chosen actions
- Researching innovative communications strategies from other institutions that address these actions
- Estimating the electricity and emissions impacts of a single action and if the action were taken by the entire target population using:
- Marginal emissions factors from the IESO Annual Planning Outlook data tables
- High level electricity cost estimates from the Sustainability OfficeÂ
- Researching further value propositions for the target actions
- Developing new communications materials that address the targeted actions and populations